Runnin' Utes Message Board

The Ute basketball program in turmoil? (more)

Posted By: Portland Ute
Date: Thursday, 26 April 2001, at 2:47 p.m.

I don' t really know....is it? There are things that concern me, though....

I am concerned that after Rick Majerus left the team for the season that he interviewed for other jobs.

I am concerned that, for whatever reason, so many players have left the program before their eligibility was up. Some have reported here that the number is 10-12 players.

I am concerned that there is so much contention "apparently" swirling around Hunsaker, an assistant coach.

Now, I don't know that this means that the program is on a steep decline as some posters have mentioned. I think that if you have the same concerns that I do, that you will probably agree that there are some things that are wrong with the program? Is it on a steep decline? No. But it appears to be standing at the top of a slippery slope.

We all saw from Roger Reid that it takes no time to destroy something that was once strong and had taken years to build. I don't think that BYU's program was to the level that Utah's has been, but it did go from being nationally recognized to being nationally ridiculed in a matter of months....

Finally, I am am concerned that guys like Puzey are leaving. I was never a great fan of his. I think he hustled and had a few moments. I really never saw him as more of a role player. However, that he would leave and Caton is rumored to be considering it, indicate to me that the Ute program is moving in a direction that we are not used to. I, too, got a great thrill out of watching a TEAM of a lot of slow, unathletic players kick that trash out of quicker, faster, more athletic PLAYERS. That era seems to be coming to an end.

I think Majerus needs to stop saying that winning is second. It seemed kind of hokey before, but it seemed to be backed up. I don't think that it is true any longer when "good, Utah-type" players that live team rules and regulations are leaving the program........

Forever forward Utes!!!!

Turmoil?? Maybe it's cleaning house hopeful for better prospects.

Posted By: LoomisUte
Date: Thursday, 26 April 2001, at 9:08 p.m.

I don't think that a few people leaving necessarily says that our program is falling apart like it sounds some are implying. We are obviously spoiled.. winning and winning. We tied for 1st place in our conference. The way I look at it it sounds as though we have a couple of high quality players coming in next year. Who knows, maybe we'll get back to where we were a couple of years ago. That was a damn good team. I think reality is we may never get a "final four team" again for a long while, if ever. I think the future is looking well. If we can get some good long stay recruits after this next season we should be loaded again. I will admit I would have liked to have seen Godfread have a chance. I have heard good things about him and had some good schools recruiting him out of high school. I'm more excited about this years coming team than I ever was before last season started. Hopefully after this next year we will not have to rely on juco's anymore. I have nothing against the ones we have had but it sure is a lot more fun watching them develop over four years instead of two. I hate seeing them learn the system after two years and leaving. Anyway I'm rambling. That's it.


Last modified .